Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has issued an apology for her previous remarks concerning the female students who had accused Professor Cyril Ndifon of sexual harassment at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
In a widely circulated video, the minister had issued stern warnings to the students, cautioning them about potential severe consequences, including the possibility of imprisonment, should they persist in pursuing the case of sexual harassment against Ndifon.
Notably, Ndifon had already been suspended from his position as the dean of the Faculty of Law in light of the allegations.
The video footage showed the minister asserting that, since the female students had openly admitted that they had not experienced rape, she believed this indicated that they had not been subjected to sexual harassment either.
Her comments were immediately greeted with backlash.
In a statement on Sunday, she emphasised her “unwavering dedication to upholding due diligence and the rule of law, recognising that justice and fairness are the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies are built.”
She said, “This declaration comes in response to recent public discussions and reactions by concerned Nigerians regarding the unfolding situation at the University of Calabar, involving the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Cyril Ndifon, and sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.
“I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar. This is extremely regrettable as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.
“I stand for all Nigerian women and I stand for justice, and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected, and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning.”
